An Early, Napoleonic Wars Era, 19th Century French Monarchy Period Silver and Gilt Cavalry Officer's Belt Buckle. Bourbon Restoration in France, King Louis XVIIIth 1814

This period of time is called the Bourbon Restoration and was marked by conflicts between reactionary Ultra-royalists, who wanted to restore the pre-1789 system of absolute monarchy, and liberals, who wanted to strengthen constitutional monarchy. Louis XVIII was the younger brother of Louis XVI, and reigned from 1814 to 1824. On becoming king, Louis issued a constitution known as the Charter which preserved many of the liberties won during the French Revolution and provided for a parliament composed of an elected Chamber of Deputies and a Chamber of Peers that was nominated by the kingThe rooster played an important role as the revolutionary symbol, but it would become an official emblem under the July Monarchy and the Second Republic when it was seen on the pole of regiments' flags. In 1830, the 'Gallic Rooster' replaced the fleur-de-lis as the national emblem, and it was again discarded by Napoleon III.Silver French crest centre, applied a gilt plate and belt loop, with very unusually its original leather uniform protecter intact.